A historical perspective on the discovery of statins

Abstract

Cholesterol is essential for the functioning of all human organs, but it is nevertheless the cause of coronary heart disease. Over the course of nearly a century of investigation, scientists have developed several lines of evidence that establish the causal connection between blood cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. Building on that knowledge, scientists and the pharmaceutical industry have successfully developed a remarkably effective class of drugs-the statins-that lower cholesterol levels in blood and reduce the frequency of heart attacks. © 2010 The Japan Academy.